Families of Elements
A chemical family is used to describe a group of related elements.
Alkali Metals
 Elements in group IA of the periodic table, with the exception of hydrogen
 Have one electron in their outer energy levels
 Are the most chemically active of all metals
(meaning an element readily combines with other substances to form compounds)
 NEVER found in pure form
 A way to identify alkali metals is by a flame test.
When an alkali metal compound is heated in a flame, the metal produces a colored flame.
Alkaline Earth Metals
 Elements in group IIA in the periodic table
 Have two electrons in their outer energy level
 Same properties as alkali metals but are slightly less chemically reactive

Transition Metals
 Elements in group IB through VIIIB in the periodic table
 Common ones used are copper, iron, silver and gold
 May have one or two electrons in their outer energy levels
Synthetic Elements
 Elements with atomic numbers higher than 92
Carbon Family
 Elements in group IVA in the periodic table
 It contains both metals and non-metals
Nitrogen Family
 Elements in group VA in the periodic table
 They have five electrons in their outer energy level
Oxygen Family
 Elements in group VIA in the periodic table
 They have six electrons in their outer energy level
 It contains metals, non-metals and metalloids

Halogens
 Elements in group VIIA in the periodic table
 They are the most chemically active nonmetals
 They have seven electrons in their outer energy levels
 All halogens are poisonous in pure form
Noble Gases
 Elements in group VIIIA of the periodic table
 These elements do not combine chemically except under special circumstances
 Each element in this family has a complete outer energy level which makes them stable
Questions
Give the symbol, name and family or group for the element that occupies each of the designated positions on the periodic table. a) period 4, group IVA b) period 3, group VA c) period 1, group IA d) period 6, group 1B e) period 2, group IVA f) period 3, group IIA g) period 4, group IA h) period 2, group IIIA